Does Folkestone’s newly opened wellness space measure up? Karlina Valeiko dives in to investigate.
It’s one of those evenings where the promise of spring is right at your fingertips but the chilling embrace of winter refuses to let go — and yet I’m in my swimsuit on a beach in Kent. Steam rises from my body, my cheeks cherry red as I plunge into the frigid water. For a second — total numbness — then I start feeling pins and needles in my legs and it’s time to get out, endorphins coursing through my veins. It might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but it is mine. This is proper sauna — the Nordic way.
What’s special about the Sea Scrub Sauna?
The Folkstone outpost is not Sea Scrub Sauna’s first — there are three other locations throughout Kent, in Margate, Whitstable and Faversham — yet as the UK’s largest beach spa, it’s the flagship. Expect two wood-fired saunas, one Scandinavian style, one in a shepherd’s hut, two cold plunge tanks and a hot tub. There are also showers and cold-water buckets as well as changing rooms and a cafe with a menu inspired by Japanese onsens.
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Why is it located in Folkstone?
Although the beach sauna concept is nothing new to the shores of the UK, this naturally feels a lot less cramped and is extra scenic due to its location on the wide shingle beach a stone’s throw from Folkestone’s harbour arm.
The sauna is open 8am-8.30pm most days, so it’s best to either start or end your day with a sauna. When the weather cooperates, early morning sessions come with invigorating sunrises, while twilight hours paint the skies in a rainbow of pastels, which you can watch from inside the sauna. Sessions start from £20 for an hour and memberships are also available.
What are the benefits of Nordic saunas?
The beginnings of sauna culture in Finland and the wider Nordic region can be traced as far back as 2,000 years. Deeply rooted in culture, folklore and health, sauna continues to be a huge part of modern life in the Nordics, and its wellness benefits are what’s made it so popular around the world, too. The saunas are heated to 80-90C dry heat, which aims to induce deep sweating, with the hope of releasing toxins. Combined with a cold plunge, it aims to improve cardiovascular health, as well as aid recovery from exercise.
The mental health benefits can also be significant — I’ve yet to find another wellness experience that reduces stress, clears my mind and makes me feel more grounded just as efficiently as a sauna.
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What not to do in a sauna
It’s important to do it correctly — don’t drink alcohol before or during sauna, hydrate adequately and have just a light meal beforehand. If you’re a beginner, build your tolerance up slowly until you can do three sessions of 15 minutes in the sauna with five-minute cold plunge breaks in between.
Most importantly, relax and breathe deep, steady breaths in through your nose, out through your mouth and make sure you don’t overdo it — listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard.
Brace for impact
Unlike its smaller siblings elsewhere on the coast, the Folkestone location also stands out thanks to its communal cold plunges. One is set at a bracing 5-6C, the other a more bearable 16-17C, which might seem like a challenge to get into but makes for an unforgettable experience. It’s here where strangers become friends for the next hour, bonded over doing the toe-numbing plunge together. I chatted with a Finnish girl who’d just moved to Folkestone and was happy to find a piece of home right here on the beach, and a group of locals, who were happy to share their best restaurant recommendations and walking routes for me to explore the next day.
The set up at Sea Scrub Sauna in Folkestone is especially good for first-timers as you can try out different cold plunges, showers and cold-water buckets to find a sauna routine that works for you. A small wooden gate also opens up almost directly into the sea for those brave enough to face the waves of the Channel — just make sure you bring appropriate beach shoes for the shingles.
Rather than being tucked away inside a quiet spa, this sauna’s open-air setting makes it feel extra special. It makes for a more immersive and authentic experience where the elements are a part of the sauna ritual, whether it’s rain, wind or blazing sunshine.
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Where to stay
The ambitious beachfront development Shoreline is mere steps from both the sauna and a wooden boardwalk, which connects the two, and it extends further along the coast so you can make the most of your Folkestone stay. Holiday rentals within the wave-like building can be booked through Bloom Stays.
The two-bedroom beachfront apartment The View starts from £879 for two nights and comes with private indoor parking, fully equipped kitchen and a dreamy balcony overlooking the beach — here the morning coffee tastes extra special.
Feature image: Sea Scrub Sauna
